2014 has been hailed as a miracle vintage in Bordeaux, offering ‘exquisite aromatics, finely sculpted fruit and polished, silky tannins’. After a cold and wet August, an Indian summer in September and October resulted in an exceptional harvest. ‘There is little doubt 2014 is the finest Bordeaux vintage since 2010’, writes Antonio Galloni for Vinous. The 2014s are classic, fresh wines that are more about length and persistence than the denser 2010s.
2014 La Réserve de Mauvesin Barton, the *second wine of Château Mauvesin Barton, is a blend of 60% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8.5% Petit Verdot, and 6.5% Cabernet Franc. Mineral and earthy, with spiced tobacco and an iron top-note, it smells as if you’re standing in a cedar forest! The wine is well defined on the palate, showing a distinct chalkiness and elegant tannins. This is exactly what you want from Bordeaux… and stupendous value at only R255 a bottle.
Château Mauvesin was originally built as a real fort and the estate was first acquired by Jean de Foix Grailly in 1457. In 2011 it was sold to Lilian Barton Sartorius of Châteaux Léoville-Barton and Langoa-Barton fame. This 220-hectare property has 55 hectares under vine, with an average vine age of 35 years, and is farmed sustainably.
*La Réserve de Mauvesin Barton is the same wine as L’Impression de Barton, but an exclusive label for the 2014 and 2015 vintages.
